title slide 1 Pre- departure workshop 1

title slide 2 Stereotypes pre-departure 2

stereotypes How do we see the world ? 3

stereotypes 2 stereotype s ster-ee-uh-tahyp A simplified portrait of a group of people, which often assumes that they are homogeneous, and that some key traits, typically derogatory, are shared by all members of the group. 4

A British view of Europe Map by Yanko Tsvetkov See: 5

A French view of Europe Map by Yanko Tsvetkov See: 6

A US view of Europe Map by Yanko Tsvetkov See: 7

An Australian view of the World? stereotypes Image from the ABC2 series, ‘Dumb, Drunk & Racist’ See: 8

stereotypes issues stereotype s Stereotypes are a perfectly normal cognitive shortcut to understanding more complex realities. Moreover, they are themselves a cultural resource, a set of caricatures for everything from humour to short-hand communication. However, they can be a limit if they block deeper understanding. 9

stereotypes map Oz 2 stereotype s what are the words or images that come to mind when you think of your host country? 10

stereotype s An Australian view of the World? From a student survey conducted with Australian students 2010 & fat McDonaldssangria orange moose Ikea movies hockey islands cold Fox News tropical coup kimchi green vodka polite loud monarchy sushi beer Guinness my ancestry white houses sun snow rap maple introverted freezing skiing Mediterranean Krakow subwaytaekwondo Andes beaches Incas dancing Catholic Republicans crowded chocolate kegs meatballs wine pubs Las Vegas tourism friendly polite NYC Quebec Kremlin Tokyo HK business shopping windmills 11

stereotypes issues 2 stereotype s What is the origin of our images? Do you think your impressions are widely shared? Personal? Is the image positive or negative? Do you think that people from your host country would support the image? 12

stereotype s positive & negative Overly simplified images of people can be both negative & positive. Some research suggests students may start with overly positive views of their host countries on exchange. Overly positive stereotypes can lead to disillusionment & disappointment. 13

misperceptions 1 I’ve noticed many weird things about Americans and their slightly skewed perception of Australia. The first thing is the fact that the kangaroo is the first thing that comes up in conversation. misperception s 14 how well do they fit? trying on a stereotype:

misperceptions 2 The stereotypes about Australia are so apparent when people start asking you questions like do you have Kangaroos in your backyard and other silly stuff like that. Americans are very gullible and believe anything you tell them which can be funny at times. misperception s Photo by Semuthutan, Creative Commons license. Original at 15

misperceptions 3 I don’t exactly represent the quintessential Australian, but I offer some diversity that could potentially educate Americans about Australia, and relieve some of the simplistic views they might have of us. I think that a country is more than just the image it projects, but sometimes the image is all people care to consider.. misperception s Photo, ‘Australia Day - Thai Style,’ by gxdoyle, Creative Commons license. Original at 16

stereotype s Australia Gets Drunk, Wakes Up in North Atlantic May 5, 2009, SatireWire.com Tired of Being Isolated and Ignored, Continent Isn’t Bloody Moving 17

stereotype s what’s the difference? ‘stereotype’ & ‘culture’ Overly-homogenising Derogatory (not always) Essentialising Superficial 18

stereotype s consensual 19 Photo from the UK by Luke B. Original at Why consent to a stereotype? Vested interest Representation Internalisation

cultural intimacy intimacy’ ‘cultural Anthropologist Michael Herzfeld calls ‘cultural intimacy’ the ‘self-stereotypes that insiders express ostensibly at their own collective expense.’ Herzfeld, Michael (originally 1997). Cultural Intimacy: Social Poetics in the Nation State. New York: Routledge. P

cultural intimacy intimacy’ ‘cultural When is it okay for people to consider themselves ‘insider’ enough to have a go at us? Why is it alright for us to make fun of ourselves in ways that would offend us if someone else said the same thing? 21 Image of superimposed maps of Australia by Adrian Acediscovery Used under Creative Commons licence Original at

Credits pre-departure workshop Stereotypes The Bringing the Learning Home Team: Greg Downey (Macquarie), Tonia Gray (Wollongong) & Jan Gothard (Murdoch). The BLTH Students at all three institutions. For more information: ozstudentsabroad.com orozstudentsabroad.com 22

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